Ebulum - Elderberry Black Ale. Introduced to Scotland by Welsh Druids in the 9th century, elderberry ale was part of the Celtic Autumn festivals where the ale was passed round the people of the village. This recipe was taken from a 16th century record of domestic drinking in the Scottish Highlands. In medeaval times elderberries were used for many natural remedies and are known to be high in fruit tannins and oils. It is a rich black ale with fruit aroma, soft texture, roasted grain and red wine flavour, with a gentle finish.
Beer Ratings and Reviews:
[1] Review by cyrenaica from Milton, Ontario, Canada who has tried this beer once. (12/14/2008 3:41:11 PM)
"330ml bottle
6.5% ABV
I tried this beer on December 14, 2008 after purchasing a 4 pack of 'Old Scottish Ales' from one of my local LCBO outets. The beer poured an opaque blackish-brown with a very thin head. The aroma is dark roasted malt, some dark fruit, and a little earthiness. The mouthfeel is mefium bodied, with medium carbonation. The flavour is roasted malt, dark fruit, some coffee/chocolate hints, and a dryish finish."
Aroma:
7/10
Appearance:
8/10
Mouthfeel:
7/10
Flavor:
7/10
Overall:
7/10
Final Rating, by Style:
(3.6)
Sampled: Bottle Sample Size: 330ml @ $2.97 Unit Cost: $4.26 per Pint
[2] Review by RJA from Palm Springs, FL, USA who has tried this beer once. (11/10/2008 6:09:43 PM)
"I get excited when I find ales of historical significance. Ebulum follows an early samplong of Fraoch. This ale pours with a impressively deep blackness. The head, though, tan is disappointingly thin. There is some lacing. Nice complexity in the nose of roasted malt and caramel, and dark fruit. The fruit is evident in the taste, imparting a tartness that balances very well with the sweetness of the malt, toasted to near perfection. The body has a smoothness though somewhat thin. A good brew I paired with tarragon-pork roast and couscous with mushrooms."
Aroma:
9/10
Appearance:
7/10
Mouthfeel:
6/10
Flavor:
9/10
Overall:
8/10
Final Rating, by Style:
(3.9)
Sampled: Bottle Sample Size: 12oz @ $3 Unit Cost: $4 per Pint
[3] Review by beerdog from Delta, BC, Canada who has tried this beer once. (8/27/2008 1:24:48 PM)
"Pouring a non-transparent and very dark brown colour, this beer was completely headless. Bad bottle? Fortunately not. The aroma suggested some dark chocolate and burnt coffee. The taste was rather like the nose but there was also an intangible which I surmise was the elderberries. More like a porter with fruit, I think, but very drinkable all the same. Good mouthfeel and finish to boot. "
Aroma:
8/10
Appearance:
8/10
Mouthfeel:
8/10
Flavor:
9/10
Overall:
8/10
Final Rating, by Style:
(4.1)
Sampled: Bottle Sample Size: 11.2oz @ $3.81 Unit Cost: $5.44 per Pint
[4] Review by Stoutlover72 from Northern, California, USA who has tried this beer once. (3/27/2008 12:00:04 PM)
"Another pretty decent beer from these guys. I've had a few from them that was WAY past their prime but this one and a best before date of June '08, so we were good. An aroma of tart berries (underripe strawberries came to mind) with just a touch of roasted malts and wet dirt. Appearance pours out a dark brown, nearly black body with a thick creamy head. Mouthfeel had a minerally quality to it. Flavor had a nice combo of smoke, peat, fruit, and coffeeish malts. Not sure how much of this I could drink, but 1 bottle was just fine. "
Aroma:
7/10
Appearance:
8/10
Mouthfeel:
7/10
Flavor:
7/10
Overall:
7/10
Final Rating, by Style:
(3.6)
Sampled: Bottle Sample Size: 11.2oz @ $0 Unit Cost: $0 per Pint
[5] Review by bosoxbrent from Silver Spring, MD, USA who has tried this beer many times. (2/9/2008 7:38:58 PM)
"I've had this beer many times. It all started a few years back when I asked the waitress at the Brickskeller in Washington DC what her favorite beer was. She said "oh you have to try the Elderberry Black Ale by Heather Brewing." Although I had never had an elderberry before and had no clue what elderberry tasted like, I ponied up the $5 or $6 and tried it out. Great suggestion!
ADDITION: Also tried on cask. I think I'll stick with this out of the bottle as I was not that impressed.
The beer pours out nicely. Very little carbonation or head to the beer. When drinking it down, there is no lacing at all. The aroma coming out of the glass is a mixture of dark berry and licorice. As the beer becomes warmer, the aroma becomes more and more prevalent. The beer is extremely dark in color with hints of red when held up to the light.
The mouthfeel on this beer is interesting. Although the beer seems a little on the non-carbonated side when you pour it, you actually have a little tingle once the beer hits your tongue. The flavor is the most interesting part. You are hit with this very dry berry taste. The berry taste has a tartness to it. It has a wicked aftertaste that sticks with you for a little bit.
This beer isn't for amateur hour. This beer is for hardcore, seasoned beer drinkers. If you don't fall into that category, my guess is that you wouldn't like this beer that much."
Aroma:
8/10
Appearance:
8/10
Mouthfeel:
8/10
Flavor:
9/10
Overall:
8/10
Final Rating, by Style:
(4.1)
Sampled: Bottle, Hand Pump Sample Size: 12oz @ $4.99 Unit Cost: $6.65 per Pint
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(3.6)
